FTAI Aviation has expanded its engine exchange agreement with United Airlines to cover designated CFM56-7B engines, extending a programme that previously focused on United’s V2500-powered fleet. The multi-year maintenance, repair and exchange arrangement is designed to replace traditional shop visits with serviceable engines delivered ahead of scheduled removals, supporting United’s Boeing 737 NG operations from New York.
Under the programme, FTAI will deliver a serviceable engine before each planned removal and acquire the unserviceable unit in return, adding it to its inventory for its maintenance network. The initial phase begins with a group of engines in 2026 and is structured to grow over time as more engines come due for removal. United, one of the world’s largest CFM56-7B operators, expects the deal to improve utilisation across this part of the fleet while reducing downtime and maintenance cost volatility.
The extension deepens an existing relationship between the two companies and broadens the pool of engines feeding FTAI’s MRO platform. Financial terms and total engine volumes were not disclosed.